kumoyuki
This is a documentary which is intended, I think, to inspire reflection on our own attitudes towards ourselves and other people. On some level it follows the ideas within the book _The Psychopath Test_, although it runs towards different conclusions; the book showing just how hard psychological assessment really is, whereas the movie is asking questions about the kind of society we are building.Asking those kinds of questions is certainly going to be polarizing! While the producers clearly have an agenda, they have clearly not offered the last word (even in their own opinion, I would guess) on the subject. But asking questions is not the same as advocating change. People can develop their own answers (including "this is a load of tosh") to what the producers have to say.It was well worth my time, and I recommend it for any thoughtful person who is concerned with how to live in the modern world.
Shuggy
I fall between the other two reviews (so far). It's neither dangerous nor interesting, but rather, just a waste of time. There's a great deal of documentary footage of dubious relevance, with a fish logo added digitally or actually.I guess the high point is the interview with Václav Havel, imprisoned by the Soviets and later first president of the Czech Republic, about what motivated him. Basically, he felt bad when he failed to do good, so he did good in order to feel good. And results might not come immediately, but we act in the hope that they will eventually.The film itself is a bit of a drug: there's always something going on to keep your attention, but when all is said and done, what is the take-home message? Businesses are psychopathic. Avoid chemical "happiness". Be nice to people (it'll affect not only those people but others they interact with). That's just about it. It's a bit like Occupy, some good intentions, feel-good slogans, token activism, and then...?
emdoub
I'll try to keep spoilers to a minimum here - mostly, it's that there are unexpected twists and changes of direction in this narrative.A peel-the-layers-back examination of our society, starting with a look at psychopathic behavior from the perspective of a psychiatrist. But it shows that psychopathic behavior isn't as simple a diagnosis as it seems at first - and examines a cause behind that - and behind that, yet another cause. The flick ends with a hopeful suggestion of a cure for the problems.I don't particularly take all of their conclusions as gospel, or believe that there isn't more to look at and consider here - but they do pretty well for a movie that doesn't quite last 80 minutes. It was certainly worth the time I spent on it, and I expect that I'll be mulling this over for some time to come.
mark-hall4
I thought that if I just don't join Scientology I could avoid the dangerous and irresponsible junk science that this propaganda film spews out on an astonishing level. This film actual insinuates that anti-depressants are the cause of pathological disorders, flashing old, old visions of genocide's and wars that occurred a long time before anti- depressants were even invented. It also insinuates that psychopaths and sociopaths are the only people that take them, showing interviews with happy people who don't take them, reinforcing a stereotype that people with anxiety disorders and other problems are evil! Absolutely incredible! It claims that empathy is lacking in the world; true, but at the same time makes fun of those people who have depression and anxiety. This movie is the biggest piece of insensitive, elitist and ignorant trash I have ever had the displeasure of witnessing! I am actually very upset. Propaganda films which encourage sick people to abandon treatments and also stigmatize legitimate illnesses should, in my opinion, be banned worldwide. I'm for free speech, but this is plain malicious, science manipulation and corruption. Apart from this it also contradicts it's own arguments so many times it's quite truly amazing! If it wasn't so dangerous I would say watch it just for a laugh. These film-makers and the main narrator (actor) should be ashamed of themselves! Have some empathy for people who are not so lucky as yourselves, and don't talk about things you clearly have no experience in. SHAME ON YOU!